1
as in wise
displaying or marked by rude boldness
the nervy waiter held up the small tip and called out to the departing customers, "Hope it doesn't break the bank!"
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks
nervy rock climbers wanting to make gravity-defying ascents
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nervous
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
I'm a little nervy about my first job interview
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nervy
Neither the writer-director — whose influences here include Mike Leigh, Ken Loach and Gus Van Sant — nor lead Frank Dillane, who acts with a nervy volatility offset by insouciant charm and humor, courts our sympathies, even as the film shows unquestionable compassion.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
The final stretch was nervy and tense, as Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard drew a foul from Mitchell and sank two free throws, then Indiana’s Natasha Howard missed a 2-foot hook shot for the win.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Many believe Newcastle and Chelsea will secure places regardless, but there is a huge opportunity to get within touching distance of confirmation with a win, while defeat would make for a nervy end to the season, with both Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa ready to pounce on any mistakes.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Courtesy of Marshall Moving into a new product category is a nervy undertaking for any company, and the current climate of tariff roulette only adds another level of uncertainty.
—Verity Burns, Wired News, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervy
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
The final stretch was nervy and tense, as Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard drew a foul from Mitchell and sank two free throws, then Indiana’s Natasha Howard missed a 2-foot hook shot for the win.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Many believe Newcastle and Chelsea will secure places regardless, but there is a huge opportunity to get within touching distance of confirmation with a win, while defeat would make for a nervy end to the season, with both Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa ready to pounce on any mistakes.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Courtesy of Marshall Moving into a new product category is a nervy undertaking for any company, and the current climate of tariff roulette only adds another level of uncertainty.
—Verity Burns, Wired News, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervy
Adjective
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Washington eventually adopted more sensible approaches that mobilized the resources of key allies, developed a wiser balance between conventional and nuclear tools, and assumed a less confrontational attitude toward Moscow.—
JENNIFER LIND,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
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Those who are successful in the job market learn how to embrace tradeoffs to make wise choices.—
Michael B. Horn,
Time,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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These two siblings have adventurous hearts, enjoy school and share one wish — to live together in a supportive home where the entire family spends time together.—
The Star,
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2025
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But in case an adventurous dish doesn’t sit well with you, Fischer suggests keeping Pepto Bismol or another stomach aid at the ready to provide some relief.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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After a decade of mayhem, property destruction, and nervous soldiers firing into a crowd, the rebellion broke into gunfire between British regulars and American militia at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.—
Dan McLaughlin,
National Review,
17 June 2025
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Around liberal America, these were the questions asked with a nervous laugh at dinner parties, in office small talk, on university campuses.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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Drake found himself on the negative side of discourse this weekend, despite not releasing a song or making any cheeky social media posts.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
23 June 2025
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But the music mogul switched up the lyrics to both honor his wife and seemingly send a cheeky message to his former collaborator.—
Mekishana Pierre,
EW.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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Scattered on the shelves are adventure books from my childhood, with the daring adventurer Biggles from the eponymous British series embarrassingly well represented.—
Jack Barlow,
Christian Science Monitor,
18 June 2025
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After the stoppage of play, what had been a daring weeklong pas de deux between this U.S. Open’s entrants and this wonderful old beast of a course devolved into a sopping-wet street fight of survival.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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This is perhaps the most important reason everyone should be so worried about the Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill.—
Paul Weinstein Jr,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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That’s why, when federal immigration agents rolled into the berry fields of Oxnard last week and detained 40 farmworkers, growers up and down the state grew worried along with their workers.—
Jessica Garrison,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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Shelter Homes for Sale June 18, 2025 This sleek, modernist retreat on Gardiners Bay in East Hampton blends beach cottage vibes with bold design.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
18 June 2025
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Epic turns it up a notch with a bolder slub design in the warp yarns and a natural marble character.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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Great leaders are not fearless beings who stoically snub their noses at terror.—
Chip Bell,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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Fleet-footed, fearless and forward-thinking, 20-year-old Yildiz is a box of tricks.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nervy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervy. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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